The Guy Who Messed Up Is Gradually Doing His Best

Due to Sawakaze’s selfish behavior, the atmosphere in the venue hall is terrible. A heavy air hangs over the place.

Clearly looking unwell, MC Utako-san and MC assistant Otoka-san.

A quick glance at everyone’s (the band members’) faces showed they looked displeased. I want to retort, but more than that, I’m worried about everyone. In their current state, they won’t be able to perform as usual.

I sent a glance to the staff, wondering if we could start over, and maybe they understood my feelings because we took a break for a commercial, and I felt relieved.

As soon as I see the two of them (Utako-san and Otoka-san) putting their hands to their ears and nodding slightly, I realize they are receiving instructions from someone.

I see, the program side wanted a fresh start too…

“We sincerely apologize, Taketo-sama. We never expected Sawakaze-sama to act in such a manner…”

When the staff quickly came to apologize, everyone (the band members) naturally gathered around me.

It’s not that the program staff did anything wrong, but still, the staff members are probably worried about whether we can sing right after the commercial break.

Well, seeing everyone’s obviously grumpy faces (the band members) makes you worry, right? But it’s okay. It’s precisely in times like these,

——Huh?

I touched everyone’s shoulders to induce relaxation, but it doesn’t seem to be working. Me? I’m fine. I was angry, but it passed quickly.

——This feeling, is it the Stone…

The unyielding stone, which is commonly used in important facilities, was taught to me by Mil-san during training. I immediately recognized it because I had actually entered such a facility (the city hall) and tested its feel.

In this venue hall, I can’t use telekinesis (I could use it in the corridor). Then…

“Everyone, can you listen for a moment…”

Everyone with their grumpy faces, when I take my eyes off them for a moment, they start glaring at that guy. At the moment when everyone’s gaze shifts to me, I quickly poke each of their sides one by one. It’s a perfect surprise attack.

“Kyah.”

“Waa.”

“Ah.”

“Oh.”

Twisting their bodies, everyone instantly turned bright red and puffed up their cheeks. Oh, maybe I overdid it.

“Ahaha. Sorry, sorry. Don’t make that face. Just remember it later… Ahaha, I’m really sorry. Then, since we don’t have much time, I’ll keep it brief. No matter what I say, we are standing here now. So… let’s enjoy the moment. Let’s have everyone listen to our song. Okay?”

Hoping to lift everyone’s spirits even a little, I smile at everyone, and they all nod slightly. Is it okay now?

Then, I turned to the staff who had been waiting and bowed my head.

“I’m sorry for causing concern to all the staff. It’s all okay now.”

Everyone was back to their usual expressions… no, they’re all still bright red… it seems everyone has a weak spot for the sides… haha. It’s scary for later, but let’s just laugh it off.

“Hehe. Taketo-sama, thank you.”

Seeing that, the staff, who looked somewhat better, bowed their heads to me and left the stage.

When the commercial break ends, MC Utako-san and MC assistant Otoka-san bow gracefully towards the camera.

“”Thank you for your patience, everyone!””

“The ones kicking off today are the ‘Armed Girls.’ Since this is their first appearance, let me introduce them a bit.”

MC Utako-san acts cheerfully as if nothing had happened. The background music has also been changed from something calm to a slightly brighter tune, making for a pretty good start.

“The Armed Girls are a band centered around the male vocalist Taketo-san, and the members are actually cross-dressing. Aren’t you all interested? It’s really cool. I found it very intriguing, but what about you, Otoka-sna?”

“Of course. I’m really interested too. Besides, the Armed Girls are incredibly popular on netTube, and their momentum shows no signs of stopping. Also…”

MC assistant Otoka-san also brightens up the atmosphere in the same way.

Thanks to the two of them, the dark and heavy atmosphere in the venue hall has somewhat lightened up, and a signal is sent from Utako and the others without the viewers noticing.

“Today, the Armed Girls will sing ‘By Your Side,’ which has already surpassed 40 million views on netTube. Everyone, 40 million views, 40 million views. Isn’t that amazing? It’s being performed live today. I was really looking forward to it. Ah, oh no, I got too excited and ended up talking too much. I’m sorry. Now, Armed Girls, are you ready? It seems you are, so let’s proceed with ‘Armed Girls’ and ‘By Your Side.’”

“”Please enjoy.””

The lights in the venue hall dimmed slightly, and just as our stage was brightly illuminated, the staff gave the signal, and everyone joined in the accompaniment.

♪〜

I also calm my mind and focus on the song. I like this song.

A song made by Tsukune.

I kept rereading the lyrics, trying to understand their meaning…

Thanks to Kaori and everyone, I’ve become able to sing…

I was taught by Nene-san to be mindful of the dynamics, the expressions, and the posture while singing…

The first song of the Armed Girls. The song that marks our beginning. A song filled with various emotions…

As always, carrying the emotions embedded in the lyrics… I will… sing…

♪〜

“Hm…”

Oh no. What am I doing, crying after singing? In a panic, I wiped away my tears with my fingers and bowed my head towards the table seats, but there was no reaction from the MC, the table seats, or the audience.

The venue hall was eerily silent. While the MC was saying a word or two, we were supposed to move closer to the MC, have a brief chat, and then transition to the next segment. That was the plan, but…

The MC isn’t saying anything, so I can’t move. But it won’t stay like this.

——Alright, shall we go?

It was the moment I thought that.

Click…

Clap, clap…

Clap clap clap clap…

The venue erupted with thunderous applause. It was an incredible ovation.

But there was no applause. It felt like when I went to a classical concert. Is this just a formality?

Feeling a bit disappointed, I quickly understood by looking at MC Utako-san that everyone was in tears and unable to speak.

“It was wonderful, sniff, very, sniff, a wonderful song. Sniff. I’m sorry. I’m so moved, I can’t speak properly. Sniff.”

“Sniff, me too, sniff… I’m sorry.”

After that, I could hear sniffling from various places in the venue hall, and if I listened closely, I could catch many tearful voices saying thank you.

——I’m glad I sang.

Just as I felt relieved, I heard a staff member with a handkerchief over their eyes, their voice trembling, informing me that it was time to move.

I’m curious about their reaction, but for now, we need to move quickly. Oh, everyone (the band members) were rubbing their eyes too.

I lightly patted their shoulders (a sign of “well done”) and gently pushed everyone’s backs as I left the stage.